STEVE DOWNES He spent weeks trying to convince the public that he could cook a meal fit for the Queen.Now Galton Blackiston is taking on an even tougher job - trying to stop his father from jumping out of a plane.

STEVE DOWNES

He spent weeks trying to convince the public that he could cook a meal fit for the Queen.

Now Galton Blackiston is taking on an even tougher job - trying to stop his father from jumping out of a plane.

The celebrity chef's 78-year-old dad, Bill Blackiston, is planning a charity skydive on August 2 to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Michelin-starred Galton, who narrowly missed out on being selected to cook a course for the Queen's 80th birthday on BBC TV's Great British Menu, has offered to sponsor Bill not to do the daredevil deed.

But last night the plucky pensioner, from Cley, said: “I've had one or two friends make the same offer that Galton did, but I'm going ahead with it.”

The British Army veteran takes to the skies for a tandem dive from 10,000ft with an instructor at Old Buckenham airfield.

He said: “I wanted to raise some money for charity. I'm not going to swim the English Channel or run a marathon at my age, so I thought I'd give this a go.

“I'm also shamelessly trading on the Blackiston name, which is in the public eye at the moment.”

He said he had been drawn to the “wonderful cause” when he saw the air ambulance land in Holt after an elderly man had crashed in the town centre.

Mr Blackiston said he was not feeling worried about the jump.

“I'm quite alright about it. Flying doesn't worry me. Actually, I would love to be young enough to do the things that youngsters are able to do today - like hang-gliding.

“My doctor has examined and says I'm fine. He's going to have another look at me two days before I do it.”

Mr Blackiston has already raised £700. Anyone who wants to sponsor him can sign forms at Weston's fishmongers, Stratton Long Marine or The Surgery, all in Blakeney.